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Pakistani armed forces have launched an operation against miscreants behind killing of three security officers on Aug 6. – File Photo by Reuters

GILGIT: Pakistan Army on Saturday, for the first time entered into the remote northern town of Chilas, headquarters of Diamer District, 128 KM off Gilgit, to conduct an operation to arrest miscreants behind killing of security officials and other terrorist activities.

“Troops of Pakistan Army have entered into the city and it is totally cordoned off and some four localities were searched out for particular people,” an official of administration said requesting not to be named.

He disclosed that only the top military officials were leading the operation so entire details about what has been achieved so far is neither known by administration nor police had any idea.

An army colonel, a captain and a senior superintendent of police (SSP), investigating the June 23 killing of nine foreign tourists and one of their Pakistani guides in the area, were killed on August 6.

Victims of the mountain assault included climbers from China, Lithuania, Nepal, Slovakia, Ukraine and one person with joint US-Chinese citizenship. One Chinese climber had escaped the attack.

Helicopters of Army Aviation kept hovering over the small town while exit and entry points of the city were sealed and people coming from far flung parts faced hardship to get access to hospitals.

People in this remote area spent the Eid Day inside their homes after gathering at the congregation and offering prayers because the city was heavily flooded with troops.

“It is unique and unusual so people got scared and preferred to remain at home because movements of the residents were already restricted by the troops in the heart of city where they initiated an operation,” a local reporter, Muhammad Aslam told Dawn.com on phone.

The markets were closed and intra city movements were also restricted but people had access to hospital with patients but only inside the town. However, some shops were opened in the late evening, said a resident.

Dwellers of the town were experiencing a new phenomenon which they never thought of in their lives as military troops kept patrolling in the town and people saw them from the windows of their homes.

The prayers leader in the town of Chilas, who led the prayers on Eid Congregation, Maulana Muhammad Ayaz came down hard on those who were behind attack on foreigners and three high profile security officials.

“How can we say they are Muslims? They are not even human. We strongly condemn the barbaric acts and want government to push them behind bars,” he spoke to the huge crowd.

“We are with the government, and they should have been arrested,” he continued. “May all of them go to hell,” he cursed. “How they can justify shedding blood of innocent humans.”

Separately, in an usual move another place Darel valley, some 80 KMs west of Chilas, Brugi village, witnessed arrival of troops who cordoned off the area and looked for some men.

The operation was led by Muhammad Navid, ASP Head Quarters Chilas, recently given charge of the Superintendent of Police following assassination of the Senior Superintendent of Police Hilal Ahmed.

Contact could not be established with Darel valley due to telephone network problem and situation could not be learnt.

Police remained tight lipped and did not leak any information regarding the operation while administration officials avoided phone calls unlike their routine.

It looked like either things were not in their hand or they were directed to keep secret until a specific time the information about what has been achieved so far.

Both the administration and Police sounded reluctant to share information and insisted to wait and see which way the wind blows. “You see we have really no idea as to what is going on as search is being conducted people are taken into custody but we can’t tell you
the number of detainees and who are arrested until and unless we ourselves come to know,” a police official said seeking complete anonymity.

“May be seniors or the head of administration of the district are in position to tell what has been done so far,” he said.

However, another Police official said GB scouts, Frontier Constabulary and Police Force were also assign various duties. “The only thing I can tell you four localities in the town, namely KKH area, Jalil Muhallah, Shaheen Kowt and Takkia points are searched hitherto,” said the official wanting not to be named because he was not authorised to be quoted anywhere.

There was no resistance from the public and the operation is underway smoothly, he added.

Comments (28) Closed

Niamet

Aug 11, 2013 03:42am

Bravo...very much needed, I hope they achieve their target. Good Luck.

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malik

Aug 11, 2013 04:05am

Seems like they have full cooperation of the locals. I have never heard any locals giving any new about their whereabouts to the police or army. By the way do we even have a anti terror hotline where people can call and report suspicious activities?

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Aslam

Aug 11, 2013 06:25am

Good luck to our brave forces. Its never nice when army has to do operation in its own land among its own people. However this cancer is spreading and it needs to be stopped now before we lose everything.

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Sartaj Raja

Aug 11, 2013 07:23am

I highly appreciate Pak Army Operation but with a Caution!!!

This area needed a cleanup and a disarmament operation was overdue for so long. Allas, Army only moved into the area once terrorists hit their comrades not as long as civilian and innocent travelers were being targeted and killed!!! Just last year, on Ramadan 27th Students and laborers from the Gilgit community were returning home from down country for celebration of Eid with their loved ones; there Bus was stopped and all the people from a Shia community were pulled out and gunned down. It is shameful that we Muslims in United States and Europe enjoy the religious freedom and out Muslim sister sect cannot have similar freedom in a Muslim country like our own.

People in Daril and Tangir have been hub for the terrorists and thieves for decades, from where these people launch incursions (abduct cattle and young ladies) on the peaceful communities of Yasin valley, the great land of beauty and love(Lalikjan Shaheed belong to this place). At this time more than 10 police posts have been erected to protect these people not from Indian army but from these thieves.

There is a great caution for the Pak Army at this moment to ensure that any undocumented ammunition and armament be confiscated and registered through a legal process to its safe usage in future if it is ever returned to the owners. Daril and Tangir area must be decaled tourist spots and a safe passage to the valley must be ensured for comment public. A legacy of this region with the tribal areas of PK be severed in favor of peaceful region of GB.

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TAimur

Aug 11, 2013 08:37am

Well done PAK ARMY, we need similar operations in Baluchistan, Karachi and FATA!!!!!!!! show no MERCY just shoot the perptrators!!!!

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Yusuf

Aug 11, 2013 09:23am

Too little too late?

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syed a naqvi

Aug 11, 2013 09:53am

Now the army woke up,after their officers got killed.It is the same Chillas where shia passengers were slaughtered openly by these terrorists,who had not bothered to cover & hide there faces.

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Silajit

Aug 11, 2013 10:15am

Of course killing security officers is what makes the establishment act. Otherwise its no big deal...

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FireCracker

Aug 11, 2013 11:42am

Why is it that only when army officers are killed Pak army decides to take an action against the perpetrators. Killing of 80+ shia civilians in 2012 wasn't worthy of any action whatsoever?

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Naseema Perveen

Aug 11, 2013 12:37pm

that's a good attempt, before the situation gets worst, as a result it would be safe to travel through the area, otherwise it used to be a frightening journey while passing through it to the Gilgit and Hunza.

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Amir Bangash

Aug 11, 2013 12:42pm

Military operation is the only way to get hold of the terrorists as they are working on foreign agenda.

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Masoud

Aug 11, 2013 02:54pm

When can the peoples of Karachi expect such targeted operations to rid the metropolitan city of miscreants & peace disturbers? Everyday several innocent peoples of all communities are subjected to torture & brutal killings. The lives of common peoples of Karachi have become quite miserable due to street crimes. Meetings & talking peace will not yield results, army action is essential to curb the ongoing violence in Karachi

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NasreenTufail

Aug 11, 2013 04:02pm

Diamer and Chilas incident cannot be neglected. Government needs to be prudent, far-sighted, have an eye on end and nip this pitiable vice of war. It needs to protect the borders as well as where it is needed inside the cities. Now the time has passed to take these things lightly and let them unaccomplished. The enemy of country and innocent people: in any form needs to be ended for peace; eventually. After action; to clear the areas check and balance needs to be carried on at such places for ever.

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Sandip

Aug 11, 2013 07:33pm

@FireCracker: All men are equal. However some are more equal than the others.

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Jawwad

Aug 11, 2013 07:57pm

The Karakoram Range tourism is considered one of top priorities of (Pak Army) coupled with it's vicinity to China and Central Asian countries has got Pak Army worried and therefore you see the urgency in this matter.

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Syed rizvi

Aug 11, 2013 09:24pm

So finally the troops are in to control the situation,hopefully they will controland restore oeace inthis strategic location.
As a matter of fact this move could serve a signal towards sending troops to other trouble areas. Hope thus operation will succeed.
We all are with the army and have strong belief in their abilities to on control the situation.

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Syed rizvi

Aug 11, 2013 09:25pm

@NasreenTufail:
You are right

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Syed rizvi

Aug 11, 2013 09:26pm

@FireCracker:
This is really sad that the action is late. Anyway hope things will improve

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aurangzeb

Aug 11, 2013 09:28pm

well done pak army ...... long live pak....... there should be no tolerance for terrorists and murderers because they are the biggest enemy of pakistan and humanity

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zebo

Aug 11, 2013 09:33pm

Death to enemies of pakistan...... keep it up pakistan army

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Dr. Sarwar Riaz Khan

Aug 11, 2013 09:57pm

@Amir Bangash:
ah the infamous "foreign hand" clause...we as a nation starts to wonder how foreign really is this "hand" seems like it is us who with one hand feed and the other "hand" slap.

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rosh

Aug 12, 2013 06:11am

@FireCracker:
So you are against this operation for now.

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karim Mohammad Khan

Aug 12, 2013 09:06am

@Niamet:
meet the terrorists with iron hands and execute law of the land in letter and spirit so that other people will learn lesson.

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GREATER PAKISTAN

Aug 12, 2013 12:13pm

"SHOOT AT SIGHT" POLICY for these foreign funded terrorists.

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Musa Ali Khan

Aug 12, 2013 10:57pm

@Niamet:
Pak army now clean them otherwise they clean you

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ali

Aug 13, 2013 08:34am

maximum confidentiality is important for this mission, the villagers may face hardship for a few days but they will be happy to note what the army has achieved, the local maulana who led the prayers sees to be a sensible man.The army should complete its mission in totality and should not return until the culprits are eliminated thereby teaching a lesson to other terrorists and the owners and sponsors of the militant madersas.Such an operation should be done in Karachi and make the terrorists jump in the ocean.

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Akram

Aug 13, 2013 03:37pm

Army need to be careful to target the right people, and not alienate the locals. The people who killed the climbers and their local support should not be shown any mercy, the same way they showed no mercy to these innocent people.